Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Hyperthyroidism - UHN

Form: D-5327

Radioactive Iodine

Treatment for

Hyperthyroidism

For patients who will get I-131 therapy, with a dose of

16 mCi to 29 mCi

Read this resource to learn about:

? What radioactive iodine treatment is

? How to prepare

? What to expect

? What to do after treatment

Call the Nuclear Medicine department at 416 340 3311 if:

? you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment

? you are going to be late

What is radioactive iodine treatment?

Radioactive iodine is a substance that gives off radiation. It is used to treat

hyperthyroidism.

Your health care provider will provide you with a capsule, or in some cases

a liquid, which you will swallow and it will be absorbed by any remaining

thyroid tissue.

The radioactive iodine kills both normal thyroid cells and thyroid cancer cells.

How do I prepare for the treatment?

? Have a light meal 1? to 2 hours before your appointment.

? If you are able to get pregnant, we will need you to do a urine pregnancy

test. Try to come to the appointment with a partially full bladder.

Important: If you are pregnant, there are possible side effects to the

developing baby.

? If you are breastfeeding or chestfeeding, stop before therapy. Do not

start again when the treatment is finished.

Where do I go?

Toronto General Hospital

200 Elizabeth Street

If you have not registered before at University Health Network:

? please come 30 minutes before your appointment time

? go to Patient Registration (on the Ground floor, near the Elizabeth Street

entrance)

Then go to Medical Imaging reception on the 1st floor of the Peter Munk

Building.

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What happens during the treatment?

A health care provider will give you a capsule that contains the radioactive

iodine. You will swallow the capsule. In some cases, it may be a liquid.

Then the health care provider will give you special instructions to follow.

This is to protect other people and your home from the radiation.

What do I do right after the treatment and for the next

48 hours?

? Don¡¯t eat anything for 1 hour.

? Drink lots of clear fluids.

? Empty your bladder often.

? Flush the toilet two times after each use and wash your hands very well

with soap and water.

? Sit on the toilet while peeing.

? Wash your hands with plenty of soap and warm water throughout

the day.

? Separate your bath towels, face cloths, cutlery and dishes from the rest

of the family and wash these items last.

? Suck on hard candy or lemon slices during the first 24 hours. This will

help you with the flow of your saliva.

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Other important instructions for after treatment

? Sleep alone for 10 days.

? Avoid long periods of close contact with children under 12 years old or

pregnant people for 10 days.

? Do not return to work for 4 days if you work physically close with others

(less than 1 metre apart).

? Important: Call the emergency numbers provided on the next page

if you vomit within 12 hours of getting the therapy. This could affect

your treatment.

What else do I need to know?

? You may have a sore throat or it may be hard to swallow.

? You can have sex again 1 week after having radioactive iodine

treatment.

? Use effective birth control if there is any chance of you or a partner

getting pregnant. You may want to talk to your doctor about birth

control methods. It is very important that you:

? Do not get someone pregnant for 2 months after having radioactive

iodine treatment.

? Do not become pregnant for 6 months after having radioactive

iodine treatment.

? If you were breastfeeding or chestfeeding, do not start again.

You can still plan to breastfeed or chestfeed if you have children

in the future.

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Numbers to call in an emergency

If you have a medical question:

? Monday to Friday

8:00 am to 5:00 pm

?

Call the Nuclear Medicine Department

at 416 340 4800 ext. 8562 ¨C

Dr. Aaron Hendler, Dr. R. Mohan, or

Dr. K. Verbeeten

? After hours and

weekends

?

Page the radiologist on call through

Locating at 416 340 3155

? Radiation Safety

24 hours

?

Page the Radiation Safety Officer

through locating at 416 340 3155

Have feedback about this document?

Please fill out our survey. Use this link: r/uhn-pe

Visit uhnpatienteducation.ca for more health information. Contact pfep@uhn.ca to request

this brochure in a different format, such as large print or electronic formats.

? 2023 University Health Network. All rights reserved. Use this material for your information only. It does not replace advice from your

doctor or other health care professional. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment. Ask your health care provider for advice

about a specific medical condition. You may print 1 copy of this brochure for non-commercial and personal use only.

Form: D-5327 |

Authors: Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Safety

|

Revised: 07/2023

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